Est. 1971 · Oxfordshire · Point-to-Point

Kingston
Blount

Where the finest point-to-point racing in England comes alive

2026 Fixtures Our History
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About Kingston Blount

Racing in the
Heart of Oxfordshire

Nestled beneath the Chiltern escarpment near Chinnor, Kingston Blount has been one of England's premier point-to-point venues since 1971. The undulating course, set against the backdrop of the chalk ridge, provides a breathtaking stage for some of the finest amateur horse racing in the country.

Organised by the Kimblewick Hunt and the Berks & Bucks Draghounds, the meetings attract thousands of racing enthusiasts each season — from seasoned point-to-pointers to families enjoying a brilliant day out in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Kingston Blount course with Chiltern hills
54
Years of Racing
5
Meetings per Season
4m
Longest Race
7000+
Easter Saturday Crowd

A Rich Tradition

The History of
Point-to-Point

Point-to-point racing has its origins in the early 19th century, when fox hunters would race informally across country from one church steeple to another. What began as a test of horsemanship and boldness grew into one of England's most cherished equestrian traditions — and Kingston Blount has been at its proud heart for over half a century.

Three horses jumping at Kingston Blount Two horses racing neck and neck Crowd watching the racing Aerial view of Kingston Blount
1836

The First Organised Races

The sport of point-to-point racing is formalised in England, with hunts organising races over natural country. Riders navigate from landmark to landmark, testing horse and rider across ditches, hedges and open fields.

1913

Rules & Regulation

The Jockey Club takes a formal interest in point-to-pointing, establishing rules to govern the sport and differentiate it from professional steeplechasing. Horses must be bona fide hunters, certificates of eligibility introduced.

1971

Kingston Blount Opens

The Kingston Blount course welcomes its very first point-to-point meeting. Run by the Kimblewick Hunt, the venue quickly establishes itself as one of the finest in the South Midlands area, drawing competitors and spectators from across the region.

1990s

The Kimblewick Easter Tradition

The Easter Saturday meeting at nearby Kimble grows to become the UK's most popular family point-to-point event, regularly attracting crowds of over 7,000 people. Clare Balding and countless racing stars count themselves fans of this beloved institution.

2008

Tom Ellis Rides the Men's Open

A young Tom Ellis — later to become champion point-to-point trainer — rides The Hookie Bookie to victory in the Men's Open at Kingston Blount for trainer Jimmy Tarry. He would return many times as a trainer, dominating the course with multiple winners.

2022

50th Anniversary Celebrations

Kingston Blount marks its 50th year of racing with celebrations featuring well-wishes from racing broadcaster Clare Balding and former riders. A special parade honours the course's half-century of thrilling point-to-point action.

2026

A New Season Begins

The 2026 season gets underway with five meetings planned across Kingston Blount and Kimble. The course remains left-handed with the signature climb over Crowell Knoll — one of the most dramatic moments in point-to-point racing anywhere in England.

"Point-to-point racing is the lifeblood of the jumping sport — and Kingston Blount is one of the very best venues in England."
— Racing Observer, 2023

2026 Season

Race
Fixtures

Kimblewick Hunt
Kimblewick February Meeting
Saturday 28th February 2026
Gates open 11:00am · First race 12:00pm
Kingston Blount, OX39 4SG
Tickets Available Buy Tickets →
Kimblewick Hunt — Easter
Kimble Easter Saturday Meeting
Easter Saturday 4th April 2026
Gates open 10:30am · First race 1:30pm
Kimble, HP17 8TD
Tickets Available Buy Tickets →
Vine & Craven Hunt
Vine & Craven Meeting
Sunday 19th April 2026
Gates open 11:00am · First race 1:00pm
Kingston Blount, OX39 4SG
Tickets Coming Soon
Kimblewick Hunt
Kimblewick May Meeting
Sunday 10th May 2026
Gates open 12:00pm · First race 2:00pm
Kingston Blount, OX39 4SG
Tickets Coming Soon
Berks & Bucks Draghounds
Berks & Bucks Draghounds Meeting
Sunday 24th May 2026
Gates open 12:30pm · First race 2:30pm
Kingston Blount, OX39 4SG
Season Finale

Kingston Blount Course

The Track &
The Challenge

The Kingston Blount course is a left-handed circuit of approximately 2¼ miles per circuit, featuring eight fences including two open ditches. Its undulating nature demands both fitness and jumping ability — the steep climb after the 13th fence and the dramatic descent before the 14th have decided many a race.

The course sits on chalk soil which can ride firm in dry summers but can become sticky when the rains come. A watering system ensures good ground for most meetings. Well-maintained and celebrated for being fair to horse and rider alike.

Direction Left Handed
Circuit 2¼ miles per circuit
3-Mile Race 8 Fences · 18 Jumps · 2 Open Ditches
4-Mile Race 8 Fences · 24 Jumps · 3 Open Ditches
2m5f Race 8 Fences · 16 Jumps · 2 Open Ditches
Area South Midlands
Location 8m NW of High Wycombe, OX39 4SG
Horse jumping fence at Kingston Blount

Hall of Fame

Past
Winners

YearHorseJockeyTrainer
2025Al ShahirZ. BakerTom Ellis
2024Gabrial The GreatT. MurrayThomas Murray
2023Gabrial The GreatT. MurrayThomas Murray
2022Gabrial The GreatT. MurrayThomas Murray
2021Castle TrumpA. ChadwickRob Cundy
2020Every MinuteG. AndrewsTom Ellis
2019Dubai QuestG. AndrewsTom Ellis
2018LatenightfumbleG. AndrewsTom Ellis
2017Master TemplarG. AndrewsTom Ellis
2016Buachaill DanaF. MitchellDavid Phelan
2008The Hookie BookieT. EllisJimmy Tarry
YearHorseJockeyTrainer
2025AgamemmonMiss A. HomerDavid Tatlow
2024Deans RoadMiss G. AndrewsTom Ellis
2023Stay Out Of CourtMiss J. SmithP. York
2022PolydoraH. MyddeltonAlan Hill
2021Mot Pour MotMiss I. MarshallAlan Hill
2020Mini FortuneJ. KingLuke Price
2019TigerbythetailMiss G. HapgoodDawn Ball
2018Shoal BayMiss I. MarshallAlan Hill
YearHorseJockeyTrainer
2025Castle TrumpA. ChadwickRob Cundy
2024Mot Pour MotMiss I. MarshallAlan Hill
2023KoyoteG. AndrewsTom Ellis
2022PolydoraH. MyddeltonAlan Hill
2021Yellow CarT. McCain-MitchellGraeme McPherson
YearHorseJockeyTrainer
2025Lavida AdivaT. BroughtonMax Comley
2024Paper MillM. McIntyreHannah Clarke
2023Marton AbbeyJ. JeavonsAlexander Gibbons
2022Quickly Now PleaseB. GibbsBradley Gibbs
2021Miracle MillionsP. YorkKaren Lawther

The Keen Trainers

Masters of
Their Craft

The trainers who bring their horses to Kingston Blount represent the very best of point-to-point horsemanship. Year after year, these dedicated individuals produce horses that light up the course under the Oxfordshire sky.

Tom Ellis
Champion Point-to-Point Trainer
The undisputed king of point-to-point training, Tom Ellis has dominated the Foran Trainers' Championship with record-breaking tallies. His wife Gina Andrews — eight-time ladies' champion jockey — rides many of his horses, making them the most formidable husband-and-wife combination in the sport. A four-timer at Kingston Blount alone is among his finest days.
65+
Season Winners
5×
Champion Trainer
Alan Hill
South Midlands Leading Trainer
The Oxfordshire-based trainer has an exceptional record at Kingston Blount. His horses, often ridden by the brilliant Izzie Marshall, have claimed numerous Conditions races and Ladies' Opens. Polydora — winner of the INEOS Grenadier Home Counties Grand National — is among his finest.
7×
Grand National Wins
20+
Course Winners
David Phelan
South Midlands Trainer
With a keen eye for Irish-bred talent, David Phelan has produced consistent winners at Kingston Blount. Known for sourcing horses from Ireland — including Buachaill Dana, bought from County Cork — Phelan has a gift for placing horses in the right races at the right time.
15+
Course Winners
◆
Irish Specialist
Thomas Murray
Owner-Trainer-Rider
Evesham-based Thomas Murray is a true one-man band — owner, trainer and jockey of his beloved Gabrial The Great, who has won the Men's Open at Kingston Blount an astonishing four times. Their story is one of partnership, patience and deep understanding between horse and human.
4×
Men's Open Winner
6
Course Wins
Horse clearing rail at Kingston Blount
Over the Rail
Chestnut horse jumping fence
Full Flight
Horses racing head to head
Head to Head
Close finish at Kingston Blount
Close Finish
Photography subject to copyright · Neale Blackburn — chasdog.com & Hattie Austin — hattieaustin.com

Visitor Information

Plan Your
Visit

Getting There

Kingston Blount is located 8 miles northwest of High Wycombe, off the B4009 near Chinnor, Oxfordshire. Postcode: OX39 4SG.

  • From the M40, leave at Junction 6 and follow the B4009 towards Chinnor. Follow signs to the races.
  • Do not leave at Junction 5 — the descent down Kingston Hill is narrow and steep.
  • Please do not park on Kingston Hill.

Admission & Tickets

  • Adults: £15 per person (advance recommended)
  • Under 17s admitted free
  • Well-behaved dogs welcome on leads
  • Ample free parking on site

On the Day

  • Food and drink stalls throughout the venue
  • Trade stands and local producers
  • Parade of hounds between races
  • Family entertainment and fun
  • Race photography by Neale Blackburn (chasdog.com)

Contact

For race entries, trade stands and general enquiries:

info@kimblewickraces.co.uk

www.kimblewickraces.co.uk

M40 J6 M40 B4009 Chinnor village Follow signs left-handed 2¼ miles/circuit KINGSTON BLOUNT RACECOURSE · OX39 4SG P Parking NOT J5 steep hill N 0 1 mile 2 How to find us Race fence Motorway B road

Kingston Blount Racecourse

OX39 4SG · 8m NW of High Wycombe · M40 Junction 6 → B4009 → Chinnor → follow race signs